S9 Ep10 EMILY BLUMENTHAL: handbag industry and design expert -  on vintage handbags and history, dupes and trademarks, and getting her designs on Sex and the City.

S9 Ep10 EMILY BLUMENTHAL: handbag industry and design expert - on vintage handbags and history, dupes and trademarks, and getting her designs on Sex and the City.

Author: Emily Stochl March 31, 2025 Duration: 40:29

On today's show, we're chatting with handbag industry and design expert, Emily Blumenthal, who is the founder of The Handbag Awards and National Handbag Designer Day, and professor of entrepreneurship at FIT, and host the Handbag Designer 101 podcast.

This episode is all about – you guessed it! – vintage handbags, including the story of how Emily got her original handbag designs on Sex and the City, and so much other great vintage handbag lore. I think you're really gonna love it –  so let's dive right in! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [2:29] Growing up with a dad who worked in New York's Garment District
  • [6:06] Designing handbags while hanging out behind the DJ booth at the clubs in college.
  • [9:45] How she got her handbag everywhere – including Sex and the City! – by hustling.
  • [15:34] Developing a deep knowledge of handbag history while hosting The Handbag Awards. 
  • [19:55] So much design inspiration is taken from vintage! 
  • [26:30] On "dupe" culture and trademarks.
  • [30:01] How fast fashion has changed the handbag industry.
  • [33:45] On the concept of vintage "It" bags.

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET'S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

  • Patty Weber
  • Kathy Brand
  • Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
  • Lucille of Galipette Vintage
  • KT 
  • Lydia Welp
  • Anastacia Banicke of Goods & Provisions
  • Michael A.
  • Megan Morris
  • Jennifer
  • Alana Rivero

 


Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl
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